Laboratory Contact

Environmental Microbiology Laboratory

Research activities in the Environmental Microbiology Laboratory are divided between
supporting research projects at the EERC and conducting specific environmental microbiology
projects. Primary areas of research include biodegradation of pollutants and xenobiotics,
microbial ecology of the subsurface, and microbial biotechnology. Support projects
include studies of nonaqueous enzymes, enzyme immobilization, and in situ bioremediation.

Research Experience

Monitoring biofouling in water-cooling and reuse systems

Evaluation of biocides for biofouling control

Use of wood root fungi for decolorization of wastewater

Growth and testing of Thiobacillus spp. for pyrite oxidation

Microbial desulfurization of organic compounds

Determination of the desulfurization pathways of organosulfur compounds

Parameters controlling amine biodegradation in soils

Assessment of bioremediation of gas condensates in soils and groundwater

Denitrification in subsurface agricultural soils

Role of autotrophic microbes in subsurface sulfur metabolism

Anaerobic dechlorination of chlorinated solvents

Humate enhancement for in situ bioremediation of nonaqueous-phase
liquids